Senior dog rescue buys landmark Mt. Juliet store

These children are using their reading skills to keep adoptable pups company this summer.
KENS

Michael and Zina Goodin have operated Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary that began out of two homes in Wilson County near Saundersville Road. The nonprofit has purchased the Moss' Florist & Garden Center property on Lebanon Road in Mt. Juliet.(Photo: Submitted)

A landmark family owned Mt. Juliet business with a 64-year history has sold its property on Lebanon Road to a Wilson County nonprofit that cares for senior dogs that was forced to move from its neighborhood.

Moss’ Florist & Garden Center will become the new home for Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary, operated by Michael and Zina Goodin who have purchased the property.

Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary is required to move operations from the two homes the the nonprofit operated in a neighborhood near Saundersville Road after a ruling by the Wilson County Board of Zoning Appeals Aug. 19 when concerns by neighbors were raised. Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary cares for about 50 dogs who are generally at least 10-years-old with about 150 more in foster homes.

“It didn’t start for a good reason,” Zina Goodin said of the move, “but … it’s a great step for us to be sustainable."

Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary expects to move to property in January and will do some renovation work while Moss' Florist plans to tentatively be open for business through Dec. 23, part-owner and manager Hale Moss said.

The new location will be more accommodating for visitors interested in meeting dogs, volunteers and public events, Zina Goodin said. The move will make it easier for the business to continue long-term beyond the Goodins, Zina Goodin said.

The zoning board's ruling gave the nonprofit 60 days to move. There have been discussions about an allowance for extra time, according to Wilson County's building inspector office. The Goodins say they have appealed the ruling in Wilson County Chancery Court in a bid to "clarify" the terms of the ruling.

The Moss property is about two acres with a building about 7,200 square feet. The property will be fenced and the building will be converted to a more home-like environment for the dogs.

Brothers Charles, John and Louis Moss launched began the business primarily selling feed and fertilizer in 1952. A floral department was added in 1977, said Hale Moss who is the son of Charles Moss.

Hale Moss is recovering from a stroke in 2014, which he said played a part in the decision to sell. Moss is also the Wilson County Fair president, a role he plans to continue.

"This group seemed to appreciate the building and will sort of keep it like it is to protect the integrity of it," Moss said. "It will be put to good use. It's sort of an emotional struggle — there will be a lot of loose spaces with all the families and events we've worked with through the years."

Dogs come from different Middle Tennessee shelters and generally live about two years on average. The nonprofit pays for vetting, preventative care and medications for dogs that go to foster homes.

Reach Andy Humbles at 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

The second home Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary has operated at in Wilson County near Saundersville Road a two homes. The nonprofit has purchased the Moss' Florist & Garden Center property on Lebanon Road in Mt. Juliet.(Photo: Submitted)

Brothers John Moss, left, and Charles Moss, right, started a feed and fertilizer business in 1952, with borther Louis Moss, that evolved into Moss' Florist & Garden Center on Lebanon Road in Mt. Juliet.(Photo: Submitted)